It was confirmed last night that the Canadian Grand Prix track marshal who
fell under a mobile crane after helping to remove Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber
in the closing stages of the race has died from his injuries.

Accident: a track marshal was confirmed dead at the Canadian Grand PrixPhoto: AFP

The marshal, who could not be seen by the driver of the crane, tripped after trying to retrieve his dropped radio. After being taken to the circuit's medical centre, the unidentified man was flown by helicopter to the Sacre-Coeur hospital in Montreal for treatment in its traumatology department.

He is the third marshal to have died since 2000 after fatal accidents at the Italian Grand Prix in 2000 and the Australian Grand Prix in 2001, although both of those incidents involved wheels which had come loose.

Among those to pay tribute to the marshal last night was Ferrari's double world champion Fernando Alonso who had just finished the race in second place. "Today there is nothing to celebrate," tweeted the Spaniard. "Terrible news arrive with the death of a marshal this race. Very sad. RIP."

A statement released by the FIA read: "The FIA is sad to announce the death of a Formula One Grand Prix du Canada worker at 6.02pm (local time).

"The worker, a member of the Automobile Club de l'Ile Notre Dame, was the victim of an unfortunate accident that occurred at the end of this afternoon's race.

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"The worker was helping to recover a car (Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber) which had stopped during the race.

"The recovery vehicle had lifted the car to return it to the pits, and while doing this the worker dropped his radio and attempted to pick it up.

"As he did this, he stumbled and was hit and run over by the recovery vehicle.

"The worker was transported via helicopter to Sacre-Coeur hospital where he was treated by the traumatology department of Dr Ronald Denis, deputy chief medical officer, and Dr Jacques Bouchard, chief medical officer of the grand prix.

"Unfortunately, the worker succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

"The FIA, l'Automobile Club de l'Ile Notre Dame and the Formula One Grand Prix du Canada want to communicate their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.